Rhode Island is dear to me. It’s the first place I lived in America, coming from Romania in 1990. I had no idea about surfing at the time but in the summer we would go to the beach in Newport and Narragansett. I’ve always been a swimmer and I liked it here because there were always waves to jump around in and dive under. Back then, I never thought a hurricane and photography would bring me back to explore this part of the coast.

After a very flat summer, Hurricane Florence set up big hopes for East Coast surfers. Originally thinking New York and Jersey would have the best conditions, the track of the storm and wind forecast sent me on the road to Rhode Island at the last minute. Sometimes the things you least expect turn out to be glorious.

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Founded in 2010, The Inertia is the definitive voice of surf and outdoors. We approach the natural world and its devoted culture with curiosity, optimism, and respect. We take pride in bringing our passion for the oceans and mountains to life through original films, reporting, and monumental gatherings. We aim to make a positive impact on our planet through partnerships with nonprofits working hard to preserve earth’s sacred places.